EU-Ukraine political accord possible next week: Merkel

WARSAW (AFP) - A long-awaited political accord between Ukraine and the European Union could be signed as early as next week at a summit in Brussels, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday.

"We agreed to sign the political part of the association agreement with Ukraine as soon as possible, probably at the next EU summit," scheduled for March 20-21, she said at a joint press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw.

The announcement signals an acceleration of formal ties between Brussels and Kiev's new pro-West leaders who took office last month.

Last week EU leaders agreed to ink the deal with Ukraine before the ex-Soviet state holds elections in May.